CHELSEA are increasingly confident of landing Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap despite interest from Manchester United.
The Under-21 forward, who has scored 12 Premier League goals, has a release clause of just £30million.
are in the market for a new centre-forward but , 22, is favouring a link-up with the Blues’ boss , his academy coach at .
Chelsea’s current recruitment director Joe Shields was instrumental in Delap’s move from Derby to join Man City’s star-filled academy in 20219.
The signing of Delap would be seen as a huge coup for as he is one of the most in-demand young players in this country.
He joined Ipswich last summer from in a £15m deal, rising to £20million.
He had a release clause of £40m but that has been reduced by £10m now the .
have also been watching the forward, whose goals have not been enough to save from relegation back to the Championship.
had hoped his form, particularly in the first half of the season, would be enough to get into in March.
Yet he remained with the U21s along with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
But he did train with England’s senior team at St George’s Park ahead of the
Tuchel will name his next squad, on Friday week, for the World Cup qualifier away to Andorra and a friendly at home to .
But Delap is again set to remain with the U21s as they prepare for the European Championships in .
The striker counts a total of 12 goals and two assists in 38 appearances across all competitions this season.
Football is in Delap’s blood. His dad Rory played for , and Delap Jr appeared on the set ofin 2014 alongside his father.
The former Stoke City and Ireland midfielder is best remembered for his insanely long throw-ins.
